Unmasked

Groggy Eyes and Spilled Confessions

The rest of their classes passed smoothly, although Draco never returned. When Pansy came back, she isolated herself, sitting alone with her head down at her desk. Hermione frowned at her over her shoulder, hoping she wasn't being too harsh on herself. It wasn't her fault.

Ron stayed with Harry and Hermione the rest of the day, but he stayed quiet. He took fleeting glances at his friends, praying that one of them would speak up and say something. That one of them would explain. Of course, he wasn't stupid. He witnessed what happened—saw the horrible marks covering the Slytherin's skin... but he still couldn't understand how Harry and Hermione had anything to do with this. Harry had his saving people thing, but Hermione, too? Ron groaned, rubbing both hands through his hair. What was he missing?

"Are you alright there, mate?"

Ron turned his attention to Harry. "I just don't get it." Harry pursed his lips. "What did I miss? How did you and Hermione even get involved?"

Harry took a breath. "It's only been a couple days, Ron. I'll explain at dinner, okay?"

"Fine."

"It's not his fault, Ron."

"I know."

As the trio headed for the Great Hall, stares and whispers followed them. They rounded the corner into the hall, eyes set on the Gryffindor table. Harry and Hermione's voices could be heard within the chatter, however, not nearly as often as they heard Draco's. His name was everywhere, used both with sympathy and with malice. Harry and Hermione couldn't help but to listen in, catching snippets of many different conversations.

"Did you hear about Draco Malfoy?"

"Deserves it, he does."

"Harry Potter helped him you know, isn't that crazy?"

"Hermione Granger, too! The muggle-born.... I know!"

"Do you think it's true?"

"I was there, saw it myself. Looks ugly, it does."

"How can anyone do that to their kid?"

"I know he's been a jerk, but I feel bad for him!"

"Potter was right up there with 'im. I reckon they're together."

"Granger and Parkinson... no way! Those two hate each other!"

"Well, if his dad can't get to him again, I certainly will!"

Hermione grabbed his arm and he looked at her, biting his lip. She squeezed, then dropped her hand, taking the last few steps to the table. As soon as they sat down, a confused looking Ginny bounced her way over.

She took a seat beside Hermione and leant in. "Is it true, then? What they're saying about Malfoy?"

Hermione nodded, and Harry cleared his throat. "Yeah, yeah it's all true."

"All of it?"

"Yep."

"How did you two... you know?"

Hermione sighed, looking to Harry. "Harry knew something was wrong, and at first I thought he was crazy."

"I noticed some cuts on him in class one day, but I didn't want to say anything too loudly... so I just whispered it to Hermione. That was only a few days ago."

"We went to see McGonagall," Hermione continued. "She said she'd keep an eye on him, and asked us too as well. She was worried."

"Very worried," Harry added. "So were we. No one has marks like that from Quidditch... you guys know that. Even Pansy knew that when he used that as an excuse."